Family inspires Lee to play until 2016

Lee Chong Wei is a man on a mission in Singapore - and not simply to make the OUE Singapore Open his fourth title of the season.

The world No. 1 shuttler is also determined to spend some family time here, and he has brought his wife and son along for their first overseas family trip.

Being a new father has meant new priorities for the Malaysian, whose wife Wong Mew Choo is a former world No. 7 shuttler herself.

"My family gives me a lot of drive," said Lee, who could not help but break into a smile when talking about his family.

"No matter what I do, I think about my wife and son first. They give me a lot of motivation whether I'm winning or losing."

The 31-year-old was speaking yesterday ahead of a special dinner hosted by property and construction firm Koh Brothers, an occasion which also gave 22 young local shuttlers a chance to get up close and personal with the badminton great.

It is this drive that will likely carry the shuttler through the next two years, after he confirmed yesterday that he intends to compete at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

For someone who is turning 32 in October and with many young challengers waiting to usurp his throne, Lee knows a tough campaign lies ahead of him.

He said: "I've held the world No. 1 ranking for almost five years now and there is pressure to stay at the top because there are others fighting their way up."

But he is determined to stay at the top as he prepares for a fourth shot at striking Olympic gold, and is also game to renew his rivalry with China's Lin Dan, to whom he was runner-up at both the 2008 and 2012 Games.

He said: "Competing in four Olympics - that's 16 years - is very tough. But I feel I can persevere, and I want to win a medal for Malaysia, no matter what colour it is.

"I'm not sure if it will happen, but I still look forward to playing Lin Dan again if there's a chance."

The China superstar has not competed on the Badminton World Federation circuit this year, apart from a token appearance at the China International Challenge in February. He is now ranked No. 104.

Lee is also increasingly prudent about which events he enters, so as to keep his body in top shape, but he fully intends to stay at the top until 2016.

But he was also quick to note that the Rio Games will definitely be his last.

"Things are different now. I have a family, and I haven't had much time to spend with my wife and child. I will persevere until 2016, but it will definitely be my last Olympics," he said.

Lee, who last played here in 2010 and was the 2008 men's singles champion, is scheduled to play Hong Kong's Wei Nan at 7.35pm tonight.

This article was published on April 9 in The Straits Times.

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